2019

Annual Report

Celebrating the EdReports tradition of elevating educator voices and by educator, for
educator reviews

Letter

Eric Hirsch

Executive Director

Dear Friends,

When EdReports launched its very first reviews in 2015, we were driven by the belief that reports developed
by educators, for educators would lead to independent information that could empower local districts
to pick the best curriculum for teachers and kids. Fast forward five years and that belief has only grown
stronger.

Educators are at the heart of our mission and the work we do every day: they sit on our board, help design
our rubrics and evidence guides, and conduct our reviews. Our 2019 annual report celebrates the leadership
of accomplished educators at EdReports and recognizes the collective impact we have had on the quality of
instructional materials reaching teachers and students.

Core to our mission is the need to empower educators with information so they can advocate for better
materials in their own states and districts. To make this priority even more explicit, we launched the
Klawe
Fellowship, a program that trains and supports educator reviewers to develop leadership skills to make
a lasting impact in their communities.

As we look forward to 2020 and beyond, we’d like to thank all those who made this work possible
– from the eight Klawe Fellows and over 600 educator reviewers to the more than one million educators
who have explored our reviews to support informed choices about instructional materials. Working together,
we are improving K-12 education by ensuring teachers and students have the quality content they need to
succeed today and for years to come.

Eric Hirsch

Impact Data

666

175

Impact Data

Number of Instructional Materials Reviews Published

Reviewed in 2019

All-Time Reviews

83

Math

68

ELA

24

Science

ALL TIME (AS OF 2019)

ALL TIME (AS OF 2019)

24

68

83

Impact Data

Number of Instructional Materials Reviews Published

Science

ELA

Math

Impact Data

Number of Documented Districts Using EdReports

886

Districts

REPRESENTING

11M

Students

Impact Data

District Highlight:

Chicago Public Schools

In 2019, we were proud to partner with Chicago Public Schools, a district of 350,000+ students, not
only because of the number of students they serve but because of CPS’ commitment to ensuring all
students within its diverse population have access to materials that will meet its needs.1

Using our review tools as a base, we worked closely with CPS leaders and content experts to develop
local criteria for instructional materials and incorporate them into a CPS-led review process.

“When we decided to focus on instructional materials, we turned to EdReports to
support us in holding a high bar for quality and standards-alignment. Through our work together, we were
able to prioritize the factors that are most important to our district.”
– Lily McDonagh,
Office of Instruction, Chicago Public Schools

Impact Data

Number of the Largest 200 Districts Documented Using EdReports

Impact Data

District Highlight:

Baltimore City Public Schools

Baltimore City Public Schools’ English language arts adoption highlights the power and
lasting impact that comes with involving educators and the community at every step of the
instructional materials selection process.

“I’ve been a part of the district for 45 years, and the city has never done an adoption
in
quite this way before. In the past, educators would simply receive materials that had already been
decided
on. I’ve never known the district to put so much effort into looking at the research and
bringing so
many stakeholders together to make this decision.”
– Mary Donnelly,
Principal, Baltimore City Public Schools

“Great materials allow teachers to meet the needs of different learners. It’s not about
lowering the standards or expectations. It’s about offering materials and instruction that
support
them to meet high expectations.”
– Bree-L Ukoha,
Literacy Coach, Baltimore City Public Schools

Baltimore City Public Schools’ English language arts adoption highlights the power and lasting
impact that comes with involving educators and the community at every step of the instructional
materials
selection process.

Impact Data

School Leaders Who Have Heard of EdReports

Of the 40% of school leaders, 27% indicated they used EdReports to identify, select, or implement
instructional materials.

40%

27%

Of the 40% of school leaders, 27% indicated they used EdReports to identify, select, or implement
instructional materials.

Impact Data

District Leaders Who Have Heard of EdReports

Of those 78% of district leaders who have heard of EdReports, 58% of them used the reports and said
the reviews were at least somewhat helpful.

78%

58%

Of those 78% of district leaders who have heard of EdReports, 58% of them used the reports and said
the reviews were at least somewhat helpful.

Impact Data

District Highlight:

Fife Public Schools

Fife Public Schools’ K-8 math adoption offers a model for engaging all educators, selecting
for local priorities, and ensuring teacher voice is integral to a district’s curriculum
decisions.

“We wanted to ensure that we not only chose the best materials for our students but that the
teachers who would be using those materials had a real say in what was chosen.”
– Jennifer Burrus,
Instructional Facilitator, Fife Public Schools, WA

Impact Data

Collaborations with State Departments of Education

Impact Data

District Highlight:

Wisconsin

A group of rural districts in Wisconsin illustrate how educators from different towns can work
together to strategically engage publishers and develop a new materials adoption culture.

“We saw the power of the teams learning together and the collective wisdom that they can bring
back to their schools. We suspect that it’s going to change forever the way materials are
selected.”
– Billie Finco,
School Improvement Services Director, CESA #4, WI

A group of rural districts in Wisconsin illustrate how educators from different towns can work
together to strategically engage publishers and develop a new materials adoption culture.

Impact Data

District Highlight:

Massachusetts

In 2019, EdReports launched a partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education to support a collective of school districts with professional learning on the
characteristics of high-quality materials and best practices for selecting standards-aligned
programs. We’ve seen great success with this model where states convene districts to work
alongside each other as they engage in thoughtful adoption processes.

“Being able to investigate materials on a deep level with all the evidence from EdReports
reviews easily accessible made a real difference in how we could approach making our adoption
decision. The process was less about what our neighbors were doing or the bells and whistles of
publisher presentations and more about how the programs would meet student needs.”
– Marc Smith,
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment,
Monomoy Regional School District, MA

EdReports.org Total Page Views

Impact Data

Number of Publishers That Have Changed Their Materials in Response to
EdReports’ Reviews

27

New in 2019

New in 2019

Middle SchoolScience Reviews

In February 2019, we were proud to release our first round of middle school science reviews. With 19
states (including Washington, D.C.) adopting the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and 21 other
states adopting standards informed by the NGSS and A Framework for K-12 Science Education, we have
seen a clear need from the field for materials that are designed for the innovations of the NGSS.

Our content review teams, comprised of expert science educators from across the country, analyzed
programs over the course of several months. Hundreds of hours were spent on each program identifying
evidence and scores for the five characteristics of NGSS innovations: Making Sense of Phenomena and
Designing Solutions to Problems, Three-Dimensional Learning, Building K-12 Progressions, Alignment with
English Language Arts and Mathematics, and All Standards, All Students.

Ultimately, we hope our reviews help ensure teachers have the resources they need to foster student
success. We plan to release additional middle school and K-5 science reviews in 2020.

Middle SchoolScience Reviews

“Materials are integral to ensuring students have the opportunities for curiosity and
wonder balanced with structure and guidance so they ultimately understand the science behind the questions
they are exploring.”

Morgan MartinEducator,Science Reviewer

Middle SchoolScience Reviews

“Materials are integral to ensuring students have the opportunities for curiosity and
wonder balanced with structure and guidance so they ultimately understand the science behind the questions
they are exploring.”

New in 2019

ELA Foundational Skills Reviews

In November 2019, EdReports broke new ground when it released its first reviews of supplemental English
language arts foundational skills programs.

Through market research and our work with educators across the country, we know that many school districts
supplement ELA instruction with a foundational skills program. Independent analyses of these
programs have largely been absent, leaving teachers without reliable information on the quality of their
curriculum. These new reports serve to fill this information gap.

Our content review teams include early learning and literacy educators who evaluate materials over the
course of several months. These reviews can empower educators with the evidence they need to
select materials that will support students as they grow into increasingly sophisticated readers. Reviews
for foundational skills supplements will be released on a rolling basis.

New in 2019

Inaugural KlaweFellowship

In the fall of 2019, we welcomed the inaugural cohort of Klawe (Kla-vay) Fellows comprised of eight
dedicated, innovative educators.

The Klawe Fellowship, named after founding EdReports Board President, Dr. Maria Klawe, was launched as an
opportunity for current and former EdReports reviewers to build their leadership skills as they advocate
for high-quality instructional materials at the local, state, and national levels.

The Fellowship cohort will continue until summer 2020 when Fellows will have the opportunity to reflect
on and present the impact that they have had in their own communities.

Inaugural KlaweFellowship

“There are a lot of factors we can't control in education, but one factor we can control
is what we put in front of our students. If we want our students to be the best they can be, then we have
to give them the best curriculum and the best resources we have to offer. Our future depends on it.”

Jenni Aberli,Educator,ELA Reviewer, KY

Inaugural KlaweFellowship

“There are a lot of factors we can't control in education, but one factor we can control
is what we put in front of our students. If we want our students to be the best they can be, then we have
to give them the best curriculum and the best resources we have to offer. Our future depends on it.”

New in 2019

Louisiana teacher and ELA reviewer Tammy Schales shares her story of how high expectations and
quality materials transformed a student’s life.

Reviewer Data

Reviewer Data

Number of Reviewers

469

from 48 states, including
Washington, DC

Reviewer Data

Reviewers’ Average Years in Education

17

Reviewer Data

Reviewers’ Total Years Experience in Education

8,052

Reviewer Data

Hours Educators Spent Conducting Reviews in 2019

Over 30,000 Hours

Reviewer Data

“When I began my teaching career, I could barely speak up in a faculty meeting. But
now, because of the professional learning and leadership development I have gained from
organizations like EdReports, I can sit down with CEOs of multi-million dollar corporations, with
state and local policy makers, and with district leaders to advocate for better materials and a
better education for all students.”

Dr. Erika HendersonEducator,ELA Reviewer, MS

State of the Instructional Materials Market

90%

State of the Instructional Materials Market

% of the Known K-12 ELA & Math Market Reviewed:

42%

39%

19%

State of the Instructional Materials Market

Of the ELA materials EdReports has reviewed:

Meets expectations

Partially meets expectations

Does not meet expectations

While 42% of ELA materials meet expectations for alignment, only 16% of ELA materials used by
teachers in classrooms are aligned.

19%

39%

42%

Does not meet expectations

Partially meets expectations

Meets expectations

16%

While 42% of ELA materials meet expectations for alignment, only 16% of ELA materials used by
teachers in classrooms are aligned.

31%

28%

42%

State of the Instructional Materials Market

Of the math materials EdReports has reviewed:

Meets expectations

Partially meets expectations

Does not meet expectations

While 31% of math materials meet expectations for alignment, only 26% of math materials used by
teachers in classrooms are aligned.

42%

28%

31%

Does not meet expectations

Partially meets expectations

Meets expectations

26%

While 31% of math materials meet expectations for alignment, only 26% of math materials used by
teachers in classrooms are aligned.

State of the Instructional Materials Market

1 out of 10 ELA classrooms are using pre-2012
materials.

Even while we know that newer materials are more likely to be aligned, new findings tell us that
older materials are still widely impacting classrooms. Millions of students across the country are
missing out on almost a decade of innovations, progress, and content during the course of their K-12
education.

Even while we know that newer materials are more likely to be aligned, new findings tell us that
older materials are still widely impacting classrooms. Millions of students across the country are
missing out on almost a decade of innovations, progress, and content during the course of their K-12
education.

2020 & Beyond

The launch of EdReports inaugural math reviews made EdWeek’s 2019 top stories of the
decade. It’s exciting to think how far we’ve come since those first reports. We are
inspired by all the changes we have seen and continue to see in the instructional materials market as
materials become more aligned and districts commit to smart adoption practices as they select new
curriculum.

But we know there is still more work to do to ensure quality content actually gets into the hands of
all students. In 2020, we will release our initial K-5 science reports and continue to review
foundational skills programs, K-12 English and mathematics, and middle school science materials.

We are also dedicated to expanding our partnerships with states and districts to support them in
identifying high-quality instructional materials that will meet local needs and to ensure these
materials are being implemented in classrooms. We can’t wait to share more voices and stories of
the dedicated educators we meet as we work together to fulfil the promise that all students receive
an education that prepares them for college, careers, and beyond.

Financials

The financial information summarized in this annual report is from the unaudited 2019
EdReports Financial Statements.

Complete financial statements will be included in our audited financials. Audit to be
conducted by Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLC, Certified Public Accountants.

Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent.

Financials

Statement of Financial Position

ASSETS

Total Current Assets

$8,652,711

LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

Total Current Liabilities

$174,664

NET ASSETS

Without Donor Restrictions

$5,281,113

With Donor Restrictions

$3,196,935

Total Net Assets

$8,478,047

Total Liabilities & Net Assets

$8,652,711

Financials

Statement of Activities

51%

26%

23%

REVENUES

Unrestricted Contributions

$1,966,674

Unrestricted Other Revenue

$999,955

Restricted Contributions

$895,000

Total Revenues

$3,861,630

51%

26%

23%

Financials

Statement of Activities

Increase/(Decrease) in net asssets without donor restrictions:

$637,370

47%

30%

11%

9%

2%

+/- 1%

EXPENSES

Building Organizational Capacity

$669,514

Identifying Excellence

$2,812,104

Increasing Demand for Excellence

$1,771,744

Total Program Services

$5,253,362

Management & General

$557,512

Fundraising

$122,821

Total Support Services

$680,333

Total Expenses

$5,933,695

47%

30%

11%

9%

2%

+/- 1%

Financials

Statement of Activities

CHANGES IN NET ASSETS WITH DONOR RESTRICTIONS

Restricted Contributions

$895,000

Net Assets Released from Restrictions

$(3,624,436)

Change in Net Assets with Donor Restrictions

$(2,729,436)

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS

Net Assets at Beginning of Year

$10,550,113

Net Assets at End of Year

$8,478,047

Change in Net Assets

$(2,072,066)

Additional Information

Funders

Our efforts in 2019 were made possible by the generous support of the following
funders:

We remain grateful to all of the foundations that have supported EdReports over the past
five years:

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Broadcom Corporation

Carnegie Corporation of New York

The Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation

The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation

The Helmsley Charitable Trust

Oak Foundation

Overdeck Family Foundation

The Samueli Foundation

The Stuart Foundation

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

Board of Directors

Darren Burris

Math Teacher, YSC Academy

Kisha Davis-Caldwell

Senior Policy & Program Specialist and
Analyst for the Leadership Development Team, National Education Association

Michael Hyde

Board Treasurer | Managing Director,
Accenture Finance

Dr. Maria Klawe

Board Chair | President,
Harvey Mudd College

Kathleen McGee

Counsel,
Lowenstein Sandler

Audra McPhillips

Mathematics Specialist and Coach,
West Warwick Public School

Dana Nerenberg

Principal,
Sitton Elementary School

K. Sue Redman

President of Redman Advisors LLC and Executive Professor in the Mays Business School Accounting
Department at Texas A&M University

Dr. Sonja Santelises

Vice Chair | Chief Executive Officer
of Baltimore City Public Schools

Liz Simon

General Counsel and Vice President of External Affairs, General Assembly